NRL Convention and Texas updates from Matt Hanafin

Howdy Y'all! I'm down here at the National Right to Life Convention in Dallas, Texas, and it couldn't be a more exciting time to be down here. I flew down on Tuesday to represent Massachusetts Citizens For Life at the National Right to Life Board meeting, and the timing was perfect for a political junkie like myself. For those who don't follow pro-life politics on the national level, let me tell you a bit of what has been going on down here. On Tuesday, a special session was called by Governor Rick Perry for the Texas state legislators to pass an omnibus pro-life bill that would drastically reduce the number of abortion clinics by regulating them like any other medical facility. The bill would also ban abortions at 20 weeks – when science has proven the unborn baby can feel pain – ergo, reducing the number of abortions. What transpired at the Texas State House looked like a documentary straight out of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Read the rest of Matt's Message Here...

MCFL Convention Saturday - Last Chance!

The State House News Service and The Kuhner Report have both publicized the Convention, so there is a great deal of interest.  As of now, we still have a few spots left - one of them is for you!  It is too late for online registration so please call the office to register, 617-242-4199. Looking forward to seeing you! Anne Convention 2013 Program 8:30 – 8:50:  Coffee and Registration 8:50 – 9:00:  Welcome, Anne Fox, President, MCFL 9:00 – 10:00:  Rev Jurgen Liias,  "Why We are Pro-Life" (Introduced by Madeline McComish) 10:00 – 10:30:  Katie Kiley, "Why We are Pro-Life" (Introduced by John Lohan) 10:30 – 11:30:  Mary Girard, "Pregnancy Help: From where we've come, where we are, where we go now." (Introduced by Marianne Luthin) 11:30 – 12:00:  Anne Marie Warner, "Sisters for Life and Why I'll Be Entering Their Postulancy" (Introduced by Marianne Luthin) 12:00 – 12:30:  Pick up lunch, Presentation of the Flatley Trophy 12:30 – 1:30:  John Kelly," Doctor Prescribed Suicide – The Death Lobby is Working Harder Than Ever" (Introduced by Prof. Scott Fitzgibbon, Esq.) 1:30 – 2:15:  Philip D Moran, Esq., "Latest on MA Buffer Zone Appeal to Supreme Court" (Introduced by Prof. Scott Fitzgibbon, Esq.) 2:15 – 3:15:  Prof. Jaqueline Nolan Haley, Esq., "Abortion: Ireland and New York State" (Introduced by Prof. Scott Fitzgibbon, Esq.) 3:15 – 4:00:  John Triolo,  "MCFL: After 40 Years, The Here and Now" Anne Fox, Introduction of THE GOSNELL PROJECT 4:00:  Annual Meeting of the Members, Elections, David Franks, Chairman of the Board

VOTE TODAY

Secretary of State William Galvin predicts "record low" turnout for today's Special U. S. Senate election. This is an chance to defeat the candidate that is 100% pro-abortion and elect the one who favors life in the areas where he is likely to have an opportunity to vote in the Senate, if elected. This time, literally, your vote could make the difference. This is a small thing to do to save lives. Thank you for voting! Anne

U S Senate Election Tomorrow - You Must Vote!

The Special U.S. Senate Election is tomorrow, June 25th.  There is a distinct and determining difference between Gabriel Gomez and Ed Markey on the life issues. National Right to Life has prepared a sheet comparing Gomez and Markey on the life issues.  Go to http://masscitizensforlife.org/ and look for June 25th in "Upcoming Events" on the Home page (bottom left).  Be sure to share info and to vote!  I just got back from DC meetings with the staffs of some of our delegation.  Walking around the halls impresses again how important it is whom we elect!  In the motel I was reading Bill Buckley's Stained Glass where he advocates doing "the better thing" even if it not exactly what you would like. Please remind five other people how important it is that they vote! Thank you for all you do! Anne

Our Petition for Certiorari on the Buffer Zone GRANTED by Supreme Court!!!

We just received word that the Supreme Court will hear the case on the MA Buffer Zone.  We know it is outrageous because it applies to only one kind of facility and to only some of the people there, that other jurisdictions have found it unconstitutional, that it an infringement of the First Amendment, etc, so we have an excellent chance to win. Phil Moran, one of the principals in the appeal will be at the MCFL Convention this Saturday, June 29th.  Come and hear all about the case.  http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/ This is a great day!  And Saturday will be also. Anne

SCOTUS and the MA Buffer Zone - and your lunch

The Supreme Court should take up the Massachusetts Buffer Zone law because lower courts have given conflicting rulings.  Phil Moran will give us the latest news at the Convention on June 29 at B. C. Law. Come and find out, http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/ See you there!  Anne P.S. If you want to be sure of lunch, be sure to register by noon on Wednesday, June 26th!

What Does Pres. Obama Think About Protecting Unborn Babies Who Can Feel Pain?

As I'm sure you know by now, on Tuesday the U.S. House passed a bill that would protect pain-capable unborn children beginning at 20 weeks.  What does President Obama think of that?  Below is part of a press release about the bill from National Right to Life and below that is a Statement of Administration Policy. NRLC-BACKED BILL TO PROTECT PAIN-CAPABLE UNBORN CHILDREN IN SIXTH MONTH AND LATER PASSES U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 228-196 WASHINGTON (June 18, 2013) -- The Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives today passed landmark legislation to provide nationwide protection for unborn children who are capable of feeling pain, beginning at 20 weeks fetal age (equivalent to "22 weeks of pregnancy"), the beginning of the sixth month. The legislation, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797), is based on model legislation developed by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC), the federation of state right-to-life organizations. The bill passed by a vote of 228-196, with six House members crossing party lines in each direction. "This legislation reflects the views of the overwhelming majority of both men and women," said NRLC President Carol Tobias. "The Obama White House, and all but a handful of House Democrats, fought for essentially unlimited abortion in the sixth month or later, despite growing public awareness of the violence perpetrated by late-term abortionists such as Kermit Gosnell and the pain they inflict on unborn babies."                                             ********************************* EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET WASHINGTON, D. C. 20503 June 17, 2013 STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY H. R. 1797 – Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (Rep. Franks, R-AZ, and 184 cosponsors) The Administration strongly opposes H.R. 1797, which would unacceptably restrict women's health and reproductive rights and is an assault on a woman's right to choose. Women should be able to make their own choices about their bodies and their health care, and Government should not inject itself into decisions best made between a woman and her doctor. Forty years ago, the Supreme Court affirmed a woman's constitutional right to privacy, including the right to choose. This bill is a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade and shows contempt for women's health and rights, the role doctors play in their patients' health care decisions, and the Constitution. The Administration is continuing its efforts to reduce unintended pregnancies, expand access to contraception, support maternal and child health, and minimize the need for abortion. At the same time, the Administration is committed to the protection of women's health and reproductive freedom and to supporting women and families in the choices they make. If the President were presented with this legislation, his senior advisors would recommend that he veto this bill. * * * * * * * * *

The Death Lobby Strikes Again - Another DPS Bill!

The nerve!  The people of Massachusetts defeated Doctor-Prescribed Suicide at the ballot box last fall.  The death lobby has been claiming that they won because they opened a dialogue in the Northeast.  On the basis of that they have filed doctor-prescribed suicide bills all over the Northeast including Massachusetts.  Now the publicity which the press does for them doesn't mention the ballot question, just claims the people in Massachusetts support them.  What don't they understand about losing by almost 3 percentage points?!? What they called "Death with dignity" is now filed as "Aid in dying."  It is prettied up but it is the same old lethal dose so a person can kill himself.  How dare they? John Kelly, who was our able spokesman and very instrumental in defeating Question 2, has been working with other states to help them defeat these bills.  John will speak at the MCFL Convention, "Get Real" to share with us the inside story of our win last fall and the latest since then. Be sure to join us!  http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/ You will learn so much from John! Anne

Election in One Week - Share This Comparison of Gomez and Markey

The Special U.S. Senate Election is next Tuesday, June 25th.  National Right to Life has prepared a sheet comparing Gomez and Markey on the life issues. There is a significant difference - enough to ask you to print out 25 copies of the comparison to share with your friends.  Go to http://masscitizensforlife.org/ and look for June 25th in "Upcoming Events" on the Home page (bottom left).  Be sure to share info and to vote!  Anne

New MCFL Video on Gosnell

	Go to http://masscitizensforlife.org/  The video is on one of the sliders at the top of the home page.  You can also view it by clicking here.  We are very proud of this video.  Please let me know what you think of it. Thanks, Anne

U.S. House Votes Tuesday on Late Abortion Ban -- Call Today!

This is important for everyone but constituents of Congressmen Lynch* and Kennedy** really must call! On Tuesday, June 18, 2013, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on a bill to protect unborn children nationwide during the last four months of pregnancy, when they are capable of experiencing excruciating pain as they are aborted. The bill is the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797), based on a model bill written by the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) that has already been enacted in nine states.  H.R. 1797 would extend the life-saving policy to the entire nation, protecting unborn children of 20 weeks fetal age or later. This is the most important pro-life bill to be considered by the U.S. House since the Partial-Birth Abortion Ban Act, which was enacted ten years ago. Time is short -- too short to depend on emails or letters.  Instead, please immediately telephone the office of your representative in the U.S. House.  Urge him or her to vote in favor of the ban on late abortions, H.R. 1797.  You may call the DC office or a local office. You can find the contact information here.  Just be sure to call, please!  *Congressman Lynch says he is pro-life and has voted pro-life on some bills.  **Congressman Kennedy is new and needs to know you are there! Thank you!  Anne

Abortion and Fathers

A very happy Father's Day to all you wonderful fathers who work so hard to bring up moral, productive children, putting them first in your plans. What does that have to do with abortion?  A lot, I am afraid.  We know how important fathers are.  So do the woman who are having abortions.  Currently, the woman considering abortion already has at least one other child and is not married to the father of this baby.  She knows how necessary a good father is in raising a child.  She knows this partner will not act like a good father, so she feels it is best for the baby not to be born. We can provide her with help, with an apartment, with baby clothes, etc but how can we provide her with a man who will act as a father should? Mary Girard, RN, Director of Pregnancy Help, has been involved in a study done by Pregnancy Help and Boston College on why women in the Boston Area consider abortion. At our MCFL Convention, "Get Real" on June 29th, Mary will share the results of that study as well as the history of the crisis pregnancy center "movement",  the program, services, stories of the women etc at Pregnancy Help, and "where we go now."  Be sure to join us at the Convention. Find out more and register,  http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/ Since 2006, Mary Girard, MS RN has served as the Director of Pregnancy Help, a Pregnancy Resource Center sponsored by the Archdiocese of Boston, where she has been employed since 2005. She holds a masters degree in nursing (MSN) from SUNY at Stonybrook and undergraduate degree (BSN) from Boston College. In the course of her nursing career she has worked as a perinatal nurse practitioner where she developed programs for adolescent and other high-risk pregnant women, a childbirth instructor and a clinical instructor in maternity and pediatric nursing.  She is also the mother of four children. According to Dr. Helen Smith in her new book, Men on Strike: Why Men are Boycotting Marriage, Fatherhood, and the American Dream -- and Why it Matters, one reason is that society is stacking the deck against men, causing many to go "on strike" from traditional responsibilities.  These men aren't just lazy, but instead are making choices based on incentives. Smith writes, "Most men are not acting irresponsibly because they are immature or because they want to harm women; they are acting rationally in response to the lack of incentives today's society offers them to be responsible fathers, husbands and providers." Let's see what we can to to help!  Get Real!  Register today! http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/

Scientific Research: Aggressive Breast Cancer - Abortion Link in Young Women Irrefutable

It is irrefutable.  The link between aggressive breast cancer in young woman and previous abortions and use of hormonal contraception is very high.  Young women are putting themselves at great risk.  We have always known that  a woman having breast cancer before age forty had a much lower chance of survival than an older woman but this is also about the kind of cancer they are getting.  Obviously there are women who do not make these life-style choices and still get cancer, but the increase must be due to abortions and hormonal contraception. We need to get the word out.  You'll be better prepared when you read this article. Anne http://www.zenit.org/en/articles/ideological-bias-risking-the-lives-of-young-women?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zenit%2Fenglish+%28ZENIT+English%29

Fwd: FBI Terrorism Task Force Coming After Chris Slattery For His Pro-life Work!

As you know, Chris does amazing work with his many pregnancy resource centers in NYC, where they are sorely needed!   He is taking his work national.  Many of you got to meet him at our Convention in 2011.  You will be appalled when you read this article, http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/fbi-terrorism-task-force-wants-to-question-national-crisis-pregnancy-center I don't know what we can do at the moment except pray for our country and for guidance to discern what we should do.  As always, thanks,  Anne

"Get Real!" MCFL Convention, June 29th

Massachusetts Citizens for Life Convention, June 29, 2013, Boston College Law School, Newton (off the Mass Pike), 8:30am - 5:00pm.  Topics range from the basic reasons we are pro-life, to whom we are working to protect at all stages of life, through the latest information, to presentation of The Gosnell Project.  The Annual Meeting of Members concludes the Convention.  Be better prepared to help save lives!  For more information or to register, visit: http://masscitizensforlife.org/get-involved/events/2013-annual-convention/ Anne

You Can Protect Pain-capable Unborn Children Nationally

Please read this alert from National Right to Life.  This bill  would create a national ban on abortions after 20 weeks.  Yes, our congressional delegation is not sympathetic to life but they need to hear from us, their constituents. If you live in Congressman Lynch's district, remember, all during the Senate Primary, he said he is pro-life.  I am sure he considers himself pro-life and, now that he is not campaigning,he might be very open to a sensible bill like this. Please read the alert carefully and ACT! Anne NRLC-Backed Bill to Protect Pain-Capable Unborn Children After 20 Weeks Moves Towards Floor of U.S. House -- Pro-Abortion Groups Mounting Intense Resistance   WASHINGTON (June 4, 2013) -- The National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) is calling on NRLC affiliates and other pro-life supporters nationwide to act now to secure rapid approval of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797) by the U.S. House of Representatives. This landmark legislation would establish nationwide protection for unborn children beginning at 20 weeks fetal age, based on congressional affirmations that by that point, if not earlier, the babies are capable of experiencing pain during abortions. A former abortionist recently testified before a congressional panel about the pain babies suffer during abortions. To view his compelling testimony, click here. A House subcommittee approved the bill on June 4 on a party-line vote of 6 to 4.  The 40-member House Judiciary Committee could vote on the bill before mid-June, and action by the full House of Representatives could occur at any time thereafter. However, success is not guaranteed!  Organizations representing the abortion industry and pro-abortion advocacy groups are already marshaling their great financial resources to try to prevent the House from approving this bill.   The mainstream news media will surely downplay the violent details of late abortions, and distort the provisions of the bill. But these factors can be countered by grassroots pro-life Americans communicating directly with their representatives in the House.  NRLC urges all pro-life Americans to click here to contact your representative in the U.S. House.  Urge him or her to co-sponsor H.R. 1797 immediately, and to support the bill against all attempts to delay, weaken, or defeat it.

Markey vs Gomez: Huge Difference on the Life Issues!

Neither Congressman Edward Markey nor Gabriel Gomez, the candidates in the June 25th Special U. S. Senate election, has returned the pro-life Questionnaire.  We have Markey's voting record and public statements.  Reporter Stephanie Ebbert of the Boston Globe interviewed Gomez very carefully and was able to determine many of his positions, which she reported.  Here is the comparison: How to you classify yourself on abortion? Gomez, PRO-LIFE  Markey, PRO-CHOICE Would you vote to overturn Roe v Wade? Gomez, NO   Markey, NO Are you in favor of tax-funding for abortion? Gomez, NO  Markey, YES Are you in favor of parental consent? Gomez, YES  Markey, NO Are you in favor of partial birth abortion? Gomez, NO  Markey, YES Do you believe in conscience rights for employers who provide health insurance? Gomez, YES  Markey, NO

You Don't Have to Go to the State House But You Do Need to Email!

The Public Health Committee meets tomorrow (Tuesday) to hear testimony on a number of bills at 1:00pm in Room B-2.  If you were to attend, your chances of being heard would be extremely low.  It is a better use of your time to email testimony to the committee chairs and ask them to distribute to the committee.  If you do that, your subject line should say "Testimony for Public Health Committee."  If you just want to register your position, you should send two separate emails with these subjects:  "Please approve H-1930" and "Please report negatively on H-2092"  Either way, be sure to include your name and address.  Please send your email by Friday of this week (the 7th).  Thanks!  Anne Chairs who should receive testimony by email: Jeffrey.Sanchez@mahouse.gov and  John.Keenan@masenate.gov Rep. Viriato "Vinnie" deMacedo (R-Plymouth) has sponsored H-1930 that would provide for anesthesia in abortions of unborn babies older than 20 weeks unless the mother requests no anesthesia or it would cause serious risk.   We support this for its educational and incremental effects with the proviso that any baby who feels pain should not be aborted at all.  Laws which prohibit all abortions after 20 weeks, on the basis of the baby's pain, have passed in nine state and are pending in many other, including the U. S. Congress. Rep. Ellen Story (D-Amherst) has sponsored H-2092 that would lower to 16 the age that unmarried, pregnant women are required to receive parental consent for an abortion.

Fwd: Boston Globe Interprets the Papacy for Us...!

We had a call at the office from one of our hawk-eyed 90-plus-year-olds alerting us to an outrageous depiction of the culture of death in the Boston Globe today.  James Carroll is obviously not familiar with the world of pro-life thought... James Carroll's "An opening in Rome?" (June 3), where he makes positive observations about Pope Francis, commits a most peculiar non-sequitur, "Francis's immediate predecessors regularly derided what they called the 'culture of death' in speaking of those outside the faith." Massachusetts Citizens for Life is nonsectarian but we appreciate the role of Papal leadership in preaching the dignity of all life including unborn babies, people with disabilities or terminal illness, and those who are elderly – whatever faith they have or do not have. Blessed John Paul II first referenced the "Culture of Life," to describe this dignity and its opposite, the "Culture of Death" at World Youth Day in 1993.  The Pope returned to the theme in his encyclical Evangelium Vitae (Gospel of Life) in which he described the Culture of Death, A person who, because of illness, handicap or, more simply, just by existing, compromises the well-being or life-style of those who are more favored tends to be looked upon as an enemy to be resisted or eliminated. None of his statements or those of other leaders who have used the term "Culture of Death" in any way derides people "outside the faith."  The column implies that Mr. Carroll had little use for Francis's immediate predecessors, but that should not allow misrepresentation of their teaching. Anne Fox, President, Massachusetts Citizens for Life, Charlestown